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How To Be A Revolutionary
‘What do you all come here for?’
‘Why, to change the world, of course! Don’t we all want to change the world . . . if we can?’
A General Election is coming and the Revolutionaries are gathering at Natalie’s house. She’s determined to be a part of it all, but is it really just about red coats, muddy boots and piles of glossy leaflets? Surely changing the world should be more exciting than that?
It’s time to start her OWN revolution – and it all begins with her pet rat . . .
‘Why, to change the world, of course! Don’t we all want to change the world . . . if we can?’
A General Election is coming and the Revolutionaries are gathering at Natalie’s house. She’s determined to be a part of it all, but is it really just about red coats, muddy boots and piles of glossy leaflets? Surely changing the world should be more exciting than that?
It’s time to start her OWN revolution – and it all begins with her pet rat . . .
304 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2024
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Ann Unwin
4 books20 followersLucy's debut novel for children The Octopus, Dadu and Me was shortlisted for multiple awards, including The Brilliant Book Awards. Her background is in journalism. She was a music journalist at BBC 6 Music for 10 years, where she was privileged enough to interview the likes of Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Adele and absorb hundreds of hours of wonderful live music.
Brought up in Birmingham, Lucy has lived all around the UK, from Newcastle to Brixton, Worcester to Chesterfield. She also lived for a year in the Chilean city of Valparaiso, and for three years in San Francisco. She has now settled on the Sussex clifftops with her husband and two daughters (and tortoise), where she divides her time between writing, editing and reading as much children’s fiction as she can.
Brought up in Birmingham, Lucy has lived all around the UK, from Newcastle to Brixton, Worcester to Chesterfield. She also lived for a year in the Chilean city of Valparaiso, and for three years in San Francisco. She has now settled on the Sussex clifftops with her husband and two daughters (and tortoise), where she divides her time between writing, editing and reading as much children’s fiction as she can.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 14, 2024
This charming and original middle grade novel is packed full of positivity and empathy while challenging prejudices and showing young readers just how small people can make a big difference -
I loved the accessible introduction to politics from the viewpoint of 12 year old Nat.
A really enjoyable read with endearing characters, a relatable family set up and, last but not least, an array of fabulously named pet rats (I'm with Avinash - Iron Paw was the coolest!).
Brilliant stuff.
I loved the accessible introduction to politics from the viewpoint of 12 year old Nat.
A really enjoyable read with endearing characters, a relatable family set up and, last but not least, an array of fabulously named pet rats (I'm with Avinash - Iron Paw was the coolest!).
Brilliant stuff.
November 11, 2024
I totally and utterly fell in love with this book! I loved meeting Natalie and Lily. I loved how it shone a light on campaigning and the differences an individual can make. I was engrossed from the beginning and just found it an amazing book. Definitely one I think all year 5/6 kids should read.
July 14, 2024
VIVE LE REVOLUTION!
An inspiring, exciting, deeply heartfelt wonder of a book.
How To Be A Revolutionary is funny, bittersweet and very authentic. The voices are so lovely and warm and the team that the young revolutionaries assemble so wonderful. The ending is EXTREMELY satisfying, I was very pleased.
Huge recommendation to all children, teachers and parents who want to start changing the world.
An inspiring, exciting, deeply heartfelt wonder of a book.
How To Be A Revolutionary is funny, bittersweet and very authentic. The voices are so lovely and warm and the team that the young revolutionaries assemble so wonderful. The ending is EXTREMELY satisfying, I was very pleased.
Huge recommendation to all children, teachers and parents who want to start changing the world.
November 6, 2024
Passion in a cause wrapped inside a painful family drama.
Natalie has always looked after her little sister, Lily a fair amount. Now she's finding she's even more needed when her parents' Revolutionary friends seem to be camped out at their house before an election and her mum leaves them to stay at Grandma's house.
When Dad's new girlfriend and his son move in, 12-year-old Natalie is confused and feels out of control of the situation, even with some words of wisdom from Dad's friend Bernard. Taking her pet rat to school for comfort, wanting to be a Revolutionary herself and inspired to find herself a cause to fight for, Natalie determines that she's going to show her fellow students how their preconceptions about rats are misguided... by giving dozens of them away at the Christmas Fayre.
My heart went out to Natalie and Lily. I was so angry with their dad for handling the separation and election prep the way he did. And their mum, though you can understand her depression and needing space... as a parent reading this I know I'll be focusing on very different things to the majority of the readership. But I couldn't help it.
On the other hand, I admired young Natalie greatly, doing her best to step up, coping valiantly with the sudden change to her home situation. How she handles being a big sister. Lily is adorably written, very sweet and clearly in awe of her sibling.
I liked the amalgamation of the two stories, and the whole idea of being a revolutionary. It was good to see both stories come to sensible and positive conclusions.
For ages 9-13.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Natalie has always looked after her little sister, Lily a fair amount. Now she's finding she's even more needed when her parents' Revolutionary friends seem to be camped out at their house before an election and her mum leaves them to stay at Grandma's house.
When Dad's new girlfriend and his son move in, 12-year-old Natalie is confused and feels out of control of the situation, even with some words of wisdom from Dad's friend Bernard. Taking her pet rat to school for comfort, wanting to be a Revolutionary herself and inspired to find herself a cause to fight for, Natalie determines that she's going to show her fellow students how their preconceptions about rats are misguided... by giving dozens of them away at the Christmas Fayre.
My heart went out to Natalie and Lily. I was so angry with their dad for handling the separation and election prep the way he did. And their mum, though you can understand her depression and needing space... as a parent reading this I know I'll be focusing on very different things to the majority of the readership. But I couldn't help it.
On the other hand, I admired young Natalie greatly, doing her best to step up, coping valiantly with the sudden change to her home situation. How she handles being a big sister. Lily is adorably written, very sweet and clearly in awe of her sibling.
I liked the amalgamation of the two stories, and the whole idea of being a revolutionary. It was good to see both stories come to sensible and positive conclusions.
For ages 9-13.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
November 22, 2024
In this completely wonderful middle grade novel, you find an accessible introduction to the world of political and social action, wrapped around a relatable family story with great characterisation. I loved Natalie and Lily and how they see the world. Natalies’ passion for getting stuck in, her care for her little sister and her frustration at their current family dynamics sings throughout; page after page. But I think my favourite character is Bernard; his immediate empathy towards Natalie, his wisdom and how he expresses it, teasing an understanding of what it really means to be a revolutionary into Natalies’ world view. This is a story about finding your own voice; learning to speak your truth and trying to understand others’ perspective. The “rat revolution” is brilliant, loaded with humour, mishap, the proper amount of chaos and, yes, trickery. Ultimately, it holds the key to acceptance in the story. But, it is the unfolding family drama that holds the tale and drives it forward, with the lesson being that you can’t always put things back onto the path you think it should be on. Filled with compassion, empathy, humour, acceptance; a heart-warming book that is fun and moving. (I still do not want a rat, though…maybe it’s just me.)
July 27, 2024
Lucy Ann squeezed my heart with The Octopus, Dadu and Me…she trampled on it with How to be a Revolutionary!
Such a different premise for a story in middle grade fiction. The story is explained fully & well in the description for this book here on Goodreads so I won’t repeat that, but the emotions that this book took me through were varied & deep! The girls being left to look after their selves whilst mum and dad’s marriage was disintegrating, having strangers trample through their house without really knowing why, being flung into a relationship with dad’s new partner & dealing with every day life as it trundles on - well, reading it as an adult was heart wrenching. However, Lucy never lets it tumble into maudlin, she deals with it all with a deft, light touch that makes something that could be traumatic seem manageable and doable! She keeps the tone realistic & relatable but not overwhelming. I love that Nat finds friends in the unlikeliest of places & situations. I know I must have read similar stories but I kind of felt like there was a new level of representation in those pages.
This book is powerful and deep & I highly recommend it!
Such a different premise for a story in middle grade fiction. The story is explained fully & well in the description for this book here on Goodreads so I won’t repeat that, but the emotions that this book took me through were varied & deep! The girls being left to look after their selves whilst mum and dad’s marriage was disintegrating, having strangers trample through their house without really knowing why, being flung into a relationship with dad’s new partner & dealing with every day life as it trundles on - well, reading it as an adult was heart wrenching. However, Lucy never lets it tumble into maudlin, she deals with it all with a deft, light touch that makes something that could be traumatic seem manageable and doable! She keeps the tone realistic & relatable but not overwhelming. I love that Nat finds friends in the unlikeliest of places & situations. I know I must have read similar stories but I kind of felt like there was a new level of representation in those pages.
This book is powerful and deep & I highly recommend it!
August 13, 2024
One of the best middle grade novels I've read so far this year!
November 25, 2024
A sweet tale of how changing the world and changing yourself go hand in hand. Touching, funny, rat-infested and inspiring!
November 7, 2024
This book left me feeling inspired. A highly important middle grade book that not only only highlights the importance of being kind but the importance of having a voice and using that voice for those who might not be able to use theirs. Loved it. It tells the story of Natalie and her pet rat and the importance of making a change. The author cleverly and sensitively explores difficult topics such as parents separating and prejudice but in a really empathetic way. One that children can understand and relate to. In today’s society, books like this need to be written and read. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews